MUNICIPAL ENTERPRISE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 276, 14 April 1913, Page 7

MUNICIPAL ENTERPRISE.

THE BOROUGH ELECTRIC LIGHT J WORKS. I | i The year just closed marks another ] I stage in the progress of the borough) electric light department, and the elec-! trical engineer( Mr. H. Black) has taken | ;an opportunity to review the position of I the undertaking. In a report to the Council he states that in January, 1908, the supply was started with two 45 k.w. 2300 volt generating sets, which in 1967 were supplemented by the addition of one 90 k.w. set, and,duplieation of the pipeline, which was followed in 1908 by the duplication of the transmission line, a No. 0 copper wire being run to supplement the original No. 4 wire. Hie steady growth of demand for current for lighting power and heating requiring further additions to the genj erating plant, a comprehensive scheme of : enlargement had to be undertaken. I With the exception of some minor deJ tails, the first part of this work has I now been completed and put into regular service. The extensions include one 420 h.p. turbine direct coupled to 250 k.v.a,, and one 50 h.p. turbine direct i ! coupled to '3O k.w. machine. Space is i ; also provided for a further 250 k.v.a. • -set. A further contract has been let to Messrs. Turnbull and Jones, Ltd.. for \ the supply of a second 250 k.v.a. alternator and turbine. This, when installed, will be a welcome addition, as it will constitute the first stand-by in the power-house sinoe the commencement of supply. It is proposed, as the demand grows, to take out the two 45 k.w. machines and instal a third 250 k.v.a set, which later may he followed by a fourth similar set. There is, states Mr. Black, ample water available in the Waiwakaiiio river for further supply for lighting andtram ways, but a weir is urgently required to increase the velocity of the witter, and overcome loss of head in the tunnel. This matter is under consideration at the present time. As the transmission line requires considerable alterations before it can carry the higher voltage- (0(100 volts), it is proposed to first construct a complete new line over a different route, and then make such alterations to the' existing line as may be necessary. The new lino would, under ordinary conditions, lie used for tramway and power supply, leaving the other for lighting only, thus ensuring more steady voltage for lighting, while in case of accident to either line, the other would take the whole load while repairs were being effected. The supply has now reached such dimensions that this safeguard is warranted Ito secure continuity of supply. The i works have now been in operation for [ over seven years, and up to the present time there 'has never been an interruption of supply during lighting hours, a record which, if possible, should be main- . tained in the future. Supply was started on January 19, ]i)OS, with'street light- '. nig and the Town Hall only connected, i By March 31 of that year 4l'private connections had been put on. Since that date progress lias been steadily maintained, and on March 31. 1013. the total connections numbered 1007, beiii" an increase of 101 for the year. °